I love films of all genres. I can generally find several really great titles in any category – except for one: sports movies. It is my least favorite genre. Sports movies are incredibly formulaic and generally uninspired. There is never any tension over whether or not the team around which the film is centered is going to win or lose the Big Final Showdown – either way is a cliché by now. It just doesn't interest me.

And so during this year's Academy Awards drinking game (which I host annually) when it came time to make our predictions, I looked at the Best Documentary category and decided that the winner would most definitely be “Pina,” the German art film about interpretive dance directed by renowned filmmaker Wim Wenders. It seemed like exactly the type of thing that Oscar would love. But my wife just looked at me, smirked, and said: “This is America,” and circled “Undefeated.”

“Undefeated” did indeed win the Oscar for Best Documentary, and now Village 8 Theater presents a one week run of the film as the newest installment in the Louisville Exclusives series. I wish I could say it's an original story... but judge for yourself: a small-town high school football team is ailing, until a new coach is hired who endeavors to turn their luck around using his unique skills. This underdog team finds themselves finally winning games... but can they continue to do so?

My point.

The film was made by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin, who previously worked together on the documentary “Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong.” “Undefeated” earned them their first Oscar, beating out films about dancing, environmental terrorism, falsely accused child murderers, and civilian life after military service. High school football won.

Because this is America. I guess.

Village 8 is located at 4014 Dutchmans Lane. Theater information and showtimes can be found at the Village 8 website.

Image: Internet Movie Database